MULLED CIDER SCENTED CANDLES, FALL, AND BLOGGING

So Fall has officially arrived by calendar! I am seeing early signs of It's approaching here in the South. Leaves are turning and falling much earlier than usual. The temperatures have been better here too. I am thankful for it all.

Wal-Mart is carrying a nice line of Fall scented candles. I love the Mulled Cider!

My Mama came to visit me for about a week. I had to work some of the time but it was nice having her here.

Danny & I picked out a new tractor yesterday! I am so excited! I have been trying to get him to buy one since the first of the year. It's as cool as Blue Bell ice cream! Cant wait to get it here!

Blogging........now I know that I am not a regular blogger, I wish I could be, but what is up with E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y!??!!

Now that I have a Blackberry, I get to check blogs regularly. (I still cant get my phone to allow me to comment on others blogs, darn it!)

The point is....it seems like everyone has just about quit blogging!

HEY I MISS YOU GUYS! GET YOUR BUTTS IN GEAR OK!!!!!

So that's about all I have to say!

Does anyone do Mobile Blogging? I am able to look at everyones blog on my BlackBerry but it will not allow me to comment using my phone. I am signed in so I just don't know what the problem is. Does anyone have any suggestions?

WILDLIFE AT CROOKED RIVER AND THE STONE'S HOUSE









Well it has been kinda crazy here. Sickness....Danny's mom was hospitalized last week for pneumonia, Danny's brother had to go to the hospital last week for extensive testing (he has cardiac issues going on), Danny's oldest granddaughter started a type of chemo last week for an illness she has, Nick my oldest son has been very sick with some type of respiratory infection, and Little Package ran a high temp from Wednesday until Friday with no other symptoms to go with it. She has been drinking good but her appetite is poor.

I started my first days as a full time ICU nurse and loving it. I will be working some nights (not looking forward to that) for a little while but will be off the weekends for a while. This will allow me to get to church on Sundays (I have been on weekends only for almost two years) and I soooooo miss my church family, Sunday school and worship service.

The pictures are from our weekend at Crooked River. Love that place!

Hope everyone has a great week!
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY! CARRY HAND SANITIZER FOR WHEN YOU GO TO THE STORE ETC. , COVER YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU COUGH OR SNEEZE AND AVOID BEING IN THE LINE OF FIRE OF THOSE THAT ARE NOT COVERING THEIR MOUTH! H1N1 is on the rise!!!!!

WEEKEND GET-A-WAY
















We spent last weekend on the Coast at Crooked River State Park. We had a great time.





















The cottage we stayed in was great. Very clean, plenty of room, and had EVERYTHING we needed. As you can see it has a screened in porch with rocking chairs. Each cottage has a picnic table, grill, and a fire pit.













A wonderful view from inside over looking the river & grass marsh.
















A full kitchen with dishes, pots, dishwasher....everything you would need. I loved this big round table too. The living room had an electric fireplace and a TV with cable.



















There is a boat ramp and a nice dock.




















I did not want to leave this place and cant wait to go back!




There's more.

TODAY IS SANDRA'S BIRTHDAY!
For more Happy Homemaker Monday, visit Sandra & give her birthday wishes!








THE WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS:
97 degrees with a heat index of 104! I hate this heat!

ONE OF MY SIMPLE PLEASURES:
When Little Package comes over she always sleeps (All critics keep your comments to yourself, lol) with Meme & Poppa and has since she was 1 month old. I love this. The time we spend together right before she goes to sleep has always been a bonding time for us. Also seeing that sweet little face in the mornings is better than a life time of free chocolate!

ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE:
Victoria magazine's new September/October issue. I love this magazine & read it from front to back. This issue is full of everything FALL....just what I need to get through the remaining Dog Days of Summer!

ON MY TV:
Nothing. Watched the season finale of Burn Notice yesterday. Got the DVR set to record The Closer tonight.

ON THE MENU FOR TONIGHT:
Beef stew & rice. Biscuits. Maybe some purple hulls.

ON MY TO DO LIST:
Bring the laundry in from the clothes line.
Pack clothes for weekend getaway.
Get a wedding gift for my cousin.
Try to keep the house clean. (I cant stand to leave the house in a mess when we go away)

NEW RECIPE I TRIED LAST WEEK:
Sandra's Spicy Bacon Chicken....I think that was last week. Good stuff!

IN THE CRAFT BASKET:
What basket? lol!

LOOKING FORWARD TO:
This weekend at the Coast,
My cousin's wedding,
Being with Family,
Working in ICU full time soon.

HOMEMAKING TIP FOR THIS WEEK:
My Aunt E use to make her sweet tea very strong in a 1/2 gallon picture, not diluting it with water until you wanted a glass. She would fill your glass with ice and about 1/4 to 1/2 full with the tea & then filled your glass the rest of the way with water. That way the tea lasted longer and you didn't have a huge jug of it in your frig taking up space.

FAVORITE BLOG POST OF THE WEEK:
I didn't really have one...it seems everyone has been on vacation!

FAVORITE PHOTO LAST WEEK:











LESSON LEARNED THE PAST FEW DAYS:
I don't care what you do, how much the A/C runs, or how much it rains....it is HOT here & nothing is going to change that but time! Hurry up Fall!

ON MY PRAYER LIST:
Always my family...we have so much to be thankful for but much to pray about!

DEVOTIONALS,SCRIPTURE READING,KEY VERSES:
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. John 11:16

GREEN TEA IS A HOOT!




I love owls...we have many around here. There's nothing like the sound of a "WHO-WHO-WHOALLLLLL" at night or in the early morning. My son spotted this one in a pine tree on the edge of the pond. That is where we see a lot of owls. This one is a Barred Owl.

So what has that got to do with green tea? Not a Cotton-pickin thing....except that I had a cup of hot green tea last night! I guess it has been about 10 years since I've had any....I didn't like it then but now I do. It was Danny's idea actually. He requested it...so I bought some yesterday.

And that's all I have to say about that!

THIS MORNING.

















We got a nice little rain yesterday evening. Things are growing. It all makes for a nice morning here at my house.